India Reaffirms Strong Backing for FATF, Rejects Pakistan’s Criticism at United Nations
India has reaffirmed its strong support for the Financial Action Task Force at a United Nations event, defending the organisation after Pakistan criticised its grey list status. India said nations should address FATF-identified deficiencies, strengthen action against terrorism financing, and enhance anti-money laundering measures through international cooperation.
Speaking at a United Nations event held on the sidelines of Counter-Terrorism Week, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, P. Harish, said that attempts to question the credibility of the FATF reflected fear of scrutiny rather than genuine concerns. He stressed that countries receiving adverse assessments from the FATF should focus on addressing the deficiencies identified by the organisation and strengthen measures to combat terrorism financing instead of challenging its credibility.
P. Harish underlined that the FATF continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the integrity of the global financial system by promoting effective measures against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. He said that nations subjected to enhanced monitoring should respond through meaningful reforms and stronger enforcement rather than criticism of the international mechanism.
Highlighting India’s domestic efforts, P. Harish said the country has significantly strengthened its anti-money laundering framework. He noted that India has introduced tighter regulations for virtual asset service providers and continues to work closely with the FATF to address emerging financial risks associated with evolving technologies and financial systems.
India’s reaffirmation of support for the FATF at the United Nations underscores its continued commitment to international cooperation against terrorism financing and money laundering. The statement also reinforces New Delhi’s position that global oversight mechanisms must be strengthened and respected to ensure accountability and enhance the collective fight against financial crimes and terrorism.

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